Venting valve system for nipples



Sept 14, 1937. Y. H. KURKJIAN VENTING VALVE SYSTEM FOR NIPPLES FiledFeb. 2l, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept 14, 1937. Y. H. KURKJIAN 2,093,130

VENTING VALVE SYSTEM FOR NIPPLES Filed Feb. 21, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2@Zw M www Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENTV OFFICE 3 Claims.

leakage of liquid from a bottle as soon as suctionis released from thenipple.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a simple andefcient nipple having vent means formed therein, the nipple being soconstructed as to permit the entrance of air through the vent means intothe interior of the bottle upon which the nipple is mounted and whilesuction is being applied `to the nipple,'and at the same time permit thevent means to automatically close as soon as suction is released fromthe nipple.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a simpleand eiicient nipple which may be inverted to extend into the nursingbottle when not in use, the nipple being associated with means forfacilitating the sealing of the open end of the bottle and provide asanitary protection of the nipple.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentthroughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of theimproved nipple;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the nipple showingthe manner in which the same is secured upon a bottle in conjunctionwith the securing cap;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modied form of the inventionillustrating the manner in which the nipple is mounted upon awidemouthed bottle and also showing the retaining cap associated withthe nipple and bottle;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the nipple shown in Figure 4, acertain portion thereof being shown in section;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through a further modified form ofthe nipple showing the nipple in position upon a wide-mouthed bottle andillustrating the retaining cap or securing cap in position;

(el. 12s- 252) Figure 7 is a vertical section through the open end of abottle showing the nipple sealing disc and securing cap in position forholding the nipple in a sanitary sealed position within the outer end ofthe bottle when the nipple is not 5 in use;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the sealing disc;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view through the open end of awide-mouthed bottle illustrat- 10 ing a modified type of sealing disc orplug which may be used in conjunction with the nipple;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the sealing plug or disc illustratedin Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a side elevation partly in section 15 of a further modifiedform of the nipple.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that I designates thebottle which is preferably of the wide-mouthed type, having the usualthreaded portion formed at its outer end, as illustrated. A threaded cap2 is adapted to be threaded upon the threaded neck of the bottle I, asshown in Figure 3, and this cap 2 is provided with a centrally locatedaperture 2a, the aperture 2a being surrounded by means of an up- 25standing annular flange 2b.

In conjunction with this threaded cap 2, I provide a speciallyconstructed nipple 3 which nipple 3 is provided with an outwardlyextending annular flange 4 which flange 4 is provided with a 30thickened outer edge or periphery 4a, the flange being normally at uponits upper face 4b, upon which upper face 4b is arranged an annular bead4c, which bead is connected to the upper face 4b by means of arestricted neck portion 4d, as 35 shown in Figure 1. The annular bead 4cis preferably located at a point intermediate the inner and outer edgesof the ange 4, as shown in Figure 1. 'I'he under face of the ange 4 isprovided with a circumferentially extending annular con- 40 cave channel4e to provide a relatively thin portion 4f at a point between the neckportion of the nipple and the annular bead 4c to increase theflexibility of the ange 4 at this point. 'I'he nipple 3 is provided witha thickened heel portion 45 5 at the junction of the ange 4 with theneck of the nipple, as shown in Figure 1 to efllciently reinforce thenipple at this point and provide means for decreasing the possibility ofthe coln lapsing of the nipple. 'I'he ange 4 is provided 60 with aseries of vents 6 preferably of small dimension at properly spaceddistances, and arranged circumferentially between the bead 4c and theouter thickened portion 4a of the flange 4. Additional vent openings 'lmay also be formed 55 in the neck of the nipple 3 at a point which wouldnormally be located below the upper edge of the annular flange 2b of theretaining cap 2, the inner wall 2c ofthe fiange 2b normally fittingsnugly `against the side wall of the neck 3 of the nipple to closethevents 1. When a partial vacuum is created in the bottle by suction,external air pressure will cause walls of the nipple to collapse andiiex inwardly and downwardly away from the upper edge and inner face ofthe iiange 2b to uncover the vents 1 and permit entrance of air into thenipple and if sufficient vacuum is 'created collapsing of the nipplewill continue until the bead lo exes away from the inner face 2d of theretaining cap 2 thereby permitting the entrance of air through the vents5. After sunlcient air has entered the bottle through the vents thenipple will expand and return to its extended condition.

It should be understood that the body of the nipple, as well as theflange, is preferably formed of rubber or other similar elastic orresilient material.

By carefully considering Figure 3, it will be seen that when the nippleis attached to the bottle the retaining cap 2 is placed in the positionshown in Figure 3, the thickened portion la of the flange 4 will befirmly clamped between the inner facev 2d of the cap 2 and the upper endl of the bottle I, thereby firmly holding the flange against accidentaldisplacement. The upper edge of the bead lc which is preferably circularin cross-section will normally contact with the under face 2d of the cap2 and because of the resilient nature of the flange l and the resilientnature of the nipple 3, this annular bead 4c will be firmly held incontact with the inner face 2d of the cap 2 until a suilicient suctionor vacuum is created in the bottle to permit external air pressure tocause the bead 4c to flex away from the c ap 2, and the neck of thenipple 3 to flex away from the fiange 2b at which time air may passbetween the neck of the nippleI and the flange 2b and under the cap 2and over the bead 4c and through the vent opening 6. Air may also passthrough the vent opening 1 and if desired the vent opening 'I may beeliminated without departing from the spirit of the invention. As soonas the vacuum has been relieved the parts will immediately return totheir sealing position such as is shown in Figure 3, and prevent theaccidental leakage of liquid through the nipple. It should be understoodthat the relatively thin portion 4f will constitute an efllcient meansto permit the parts to properly flex and to provide a proper sealingaction. The annular bead 4c will constitute an emcient valve means forcontrolling the now oi air into the bottle through the vent opening i.

By considering Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings which show a modifiedform of the invention, it will be seen that III designates the bottlewhich is preferably of the wide-mouth type having the usual threadedportion II at its outer end. A threaded cap I2 is adapted to be threadedupon the threaded portion II, as shown in Figure 4, and this cap I2 ispreferably provided with a centrally located aperture I3 around whichextends a tapering annular ange I4, also shown in Figure 4.

In conjunction with the bottle III and the cap I2, I employ a speciallyconstructed nipple I5 which is provided with an annular flange I6 aroundits inner end, the nipple I5 having at its junction with the ange I5 athickened stock or heel portion I1 which is adapted to normally extendslightly below the outer edge IB of the flange I6, as shown clearly inFigure 4. This thickened stock or heel portion I1 will constitute aneflicient reinforcing means for the nipple at its inner endv and at itspoint of junction with the flange I5 and will tend to prevent thecollapsing of the nipple or the falling of the nipple I5 into theinterior of the bottle I0. The flange I6 preferably tapers from thethickened heel portion I1 of the nipple toward its outer edge Il, asshown in Figure 4, and the flange I5 is preferably arranged to normallyextend in transverse section in concavoconvex formation, as shown inFigure 4. This position of the flange I6 will normally force the upperface I9 of the flange I6 into contact with the lower face 20 of the capI2, at a point substantially its circumferential center and a pluralityof vent openings 2| are formed through the flange I5 intermediate theouter and -inner edges of the flange, and at a point to cause the ventopenings 2l to be normally closed when the flange I6 contacts with theunder face 20 of the cap I2. Additional vent openings 22 may also beformed in the side walls of the nipple I5, as shown in Figure 4, at apoint within the height of the flange I4 so as to cause the ventopenings 22 to normally remain close by the inner face of the flange I4when the side walls of the nipple I5 contact with` away from the flangeI4 and the flange IB to fiex away from the cap I2 to the position shownin dotted lines in Figure 4, thereby permitting the entrance of air inbetween the flange I4 and the neck of the nipple I5 whereupon the airwill pass through the vents 2| and 22 in the direction indicated by thearrow and permit an even flow of milk or other liquid through the nippleI5. As soon as sufiicient air has entered the bottle, the resilientnature of the body of the nipple will cause the iiange I6 to immediatelycontact with the under face 20 of the cap I2 at apoint adjacent the ventopenings 2I thereby sealing these openings and the neck of the nipple I5will also immediately contact with the inner face of the iiange Illthereby sealing the vent openings 22 and prevent the accidental iiow ofliquid out through the sucking opening 23 formed in the outer end of thenipple I5. As shown in Figure 4, only the outer edge of the flange Iirests upon the outer edge 24 of the bottle I0 and this will constitutean efficient means for holding the nipple ange in position inconjunction with the cap I2 and at the same time permit the flange I6 toproperly flex inwardly to permit the entrance of air and to immediatelyreturn to a sealing position as soon as the infant using the nipplediscontinues the sucking upon the nipple or releases the suction fromthe nipple.

- It will, therefore, be seen that a very simple and efficient automaticvalve controlling means has been provided formed directly within thenipple itself for permitting an even flow of liquid out through thenipple when the nipple is in use and at the same time immediately sealthe vent openings when suction is released from the nipple to preventaccidental leakage lor flow of liquid from the nipple.

Figure 4 illustrates the structure above described in an exaggeratedmanner, in order to clearly bring out the arc-shaped formation of theflange in cross-section which greatly facilitates the forcing of theflange adjacent the vent openings in sealing contact with the under faceof the cap I2.

In Figure 6, I have shown another modified form of the invention whereinthe bottle is indicated by the numeral 25 and is provided with the usualthreaded end 26 upon which fits a threaded cap 21, the threaded caphaving a centrally located aperture 28 through which the neck 29 of ithe nipple extends. In this form of the invention,

the nipple 30 is provided with the laterally extending annular flange3|, the edge of the flange being adapted to be firmly clamped betweenthe under face of the cap 21 and the upper or outer edge of the bottle25. The flange 3| is provided with a plurality of vent openings 32 whichare arranged in any suitable or desired number,

- through the ilange 3| preferably at a point intermediate the inner andouter marginal edges of the flange 3|. The flange 3| is adapted tonormally lie flat in contact with the under face of the cap 21 and theaperture 28 in the cap 21 is 25 of suillcient size to permit air to passbetween the neck 29 of the nipple 30 and the side wall of the aperture28 when the flange 3| is flexed inwardly by external air pressure when apartial vacuum is formed in the bottle. As an infant 30 sucks upon thenipple 30, and air is drawn out of the bottle to form a partial vacuumtherein the external air pressure will cause the flange 3| to flexinwardly and pull the flange 3| slightly away from the cap 21 andthereby permit the passage of air through the aperture 28 under the cap21 and through the vent openings 32 formed in the flange 3| into thebottle. As soon as sufilcient air has entered the bottle, the flange 3|will immediately snap back to a sealing position in contact with theunder face of the cap 21 and close the vent openings 32 against theentrance of air and thereby prevent the flow of liquid out through thenipple.

In conjunction with the nipple, I may also employ a sealing disc 32which may be used when carrying a nursing bottle filled with liquid tobe used at -a later time. In this event, the nipple 3|)A may be invertedto the position shown in Figure '1, and the sealing disc 32 may beplaced over the flange 3| so as to completely cover the same. 'I'he disc32 is preferably provided with a circular lug 33 which is adapted tosnugly fit within the aperture 28 of the cap 21 and normally lie flushwith the outer face of the cap thereby completely sealing the outer endof the bottle and protecting the nipple in a completely sanitary manner.This disc 32 will constitute an eflicient sealing means in conjunctionwith the threaded 'cap 21, as shown in Figure 7.

As shown in Figures 9 and l0, I may employ a modified form of a sealingmember 34,` In using this sealing member 34, the nipple i's invertedwithin the bottle so as to have the flange 3| overhang the outer end ofthe bottle and the threaded cap 21 is threaded in positionito clamp thenipple upon the end of the bottle in an inverted position. The sealingmember 34 is then placed upon the cap 21, and this sealing `member 34comprises preferably a circular disc completely covering the outer endof the cap 21. This disc is indicated by the numeral 35 and is providedwith a tapering plug 3B which is adapted to extend through the aperture28 of the cap 21 and into the neck 23 of the nipple 30. The re- 5siliency of the nipple will assist in holding the plug 36 in a firmlyclamped position. .VA knob 31 is carried by the outer face of the disc35 for facilitating the handling of the sealing member 34, that is tosay, the placing of the sealing mem- 43, adjacent the inner end oflthenipple adjoining the flange 4| and this thickened portion pro# jectsslightly below the lower face of the flange 4| to provide-a thickenedreinforcing annular bead 44. t

It should also be understood that certain detail changes in theconstruction may be employed without departing from'the spirit of theinven- Y tion, so long as such changes fall within the scope of theappen-ded claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:- l

1. In combination with a bottle having an open outer end, a removableretaining cap having an annular bead overhanging the outer end of thebottle, a nipple having a laterally extending retaining flange adaptedto be clamped between the bead of the cap and the mouth of the bottle,the flange being of flexible elastic material and having vent openingsformed therein normally closed at their outer ends by the bead, and saidnipple being thickened adjacent its lower end, the thickened portionprojecting slightly below the lower end of the nipple to provide areinforcing annular bead.

2. In combination with a bottle having an open outer end, a capremovably connected with the open end of the bottle, an elastic nipplehaving a laterally extending flange adapted to be clamped between thecap and the bottle, the flange having vent openings formed thereinnormally covered at their outer ends by the cap and the body portion ofthe nipple extending outwardly through the retaining cap.

3. In combination with a flexible nipple having a flexible laterallyextending portion, the flexible laterally extending portion beingrelatively thin at a point adjacent the neck portion to facilitate theflexing of the laterally extending portion, said laterally extendingportion having vents formed therethrough, the vents being located beyondthe relatively thin portion, a rigid cap having an inwardly extendingoverhanging flange adapted to contact with said laterally extendingportion of the nipple and to bind said laterally extending portion uponthe neck of a bottle, the laterally extending portion of the nipplewithin which the Ventilating apertures are formed being free to flexaway from the flange of said cap whereby external atmospheric pressurewill force said laterally extending portion out of contact with theunderface of said flange when a vacuum is created below the flange topermit the entrance of air through the Ventilating apertures.

-4. 'I'he combination with a bottle having an open outer end, a rigidcap fitted upon the outer end of said bottle and having an inwardlyexvide a thin portion at a point near said neck to facilitate theiiexing of said laterally extending portion, said laterally extendingportion having venting apertures formed therein and located between theouter end of the bottle and the thin portion of the laterally extendingportion oi' the nipple whereby the laterally extending portion of thenipple surrounding the venting apertures will normally contact with theunder face of said cap, the laterally extending portion of the nipplebeing adapted to iiex away from the under face of the flange of the saidcap when a vacuum is created withinA the bottle caused by sucking uponthe nipple, the laterally extending flexible l5 portion of the nipplebeing movable away from the under face of the flange ot the cap byexternal atmospheric pressure upon the ilexible nipple to permit theentrance oi' air through the venting apertures and into the, bottle,said fiexible portion being adapted to automatically contact with theunderiace of the flange of the cap when the air pressure within thebottle equalizes the external air pressure to prevent leaking of thenipple.

5. In combination with a bottle, a retaining cap removably secured tosaid bottle, a exible nipple extending through said cap and having anoutwardly projecting elastic flange provided with a thickened portionnear its outer extremity to` 80 provide a retaining means for clampingthe flange in position between the cap and the end of a bottle, saidange having vent openings therein, and an annular sealing bead carriedby and rising from said flange between the vent openings and 85 thenipple adapted to move into and out of contact with the under face ofsaid cap and constitute a barrier for normally preventing passage of airthrough said vent openings but movable away from the cap as the internalair pressure is varied relative to the external air pressure, therebypermitting the entrance of external air between said nipple and capunder the cap and through the vent openings into said bottle.

6. In combination with a bottle, a retaining cap removably andadjustably secured to said bottle, a iiexible nipple of elastic materialextending" through said cap, said iiexible nipple having a body and anoutwardly projecting flange about the base of the body provided with athickened portion near its outer margin to provide a retaining means forclamping the ilange in position between the cap and the end of a bottle,said flange having vent openings therein, an annular upstanding sealingbead carried by said ange intermediate the vent openings and innermargin of the flange adaptedV to move into and out of contact with theunder face of said cap and when in engagement with the cap constitutinga barrier for preventing inward passage of air through said ventopenings, said bead having a narrow neck portion at the point ofjunction with said iiange, and said flange being reduced in thicknessadjacent said sealing bead to facilitate the exing of the flange and themovement of the bead away from said cap as the internal air pressurelisvaried relative to the external air pressure thereby permitting theentrance of external air pressure between the nipple and cap under thecap and through the vent openings into said bottle.

'1. The combination with a securing cap adapted to secure a flexiblenipple to the neck o'i a wide-mouthed bottle, of a nipple having a neckand a laterally extending ange formed of iiexible elastic material, theflange having minute ventilating apertures arranged in lateral spacedrelation with respect to said neck, said cap having an aperture throughwhich said neck of the nipple extends, the Ventilating apertures in thesaid ange being arranged in spaced relation in a radius greater than theradius of the aperture formed in the cap, the aperture formed ein thecap being of greater diameter than the diameter of the neck of thenipple whereby Athe nipple may be passed through the cap, said flangeengaging the under face of said cap and normally contacting therewith toseal said Ventilating apertures and being adapted to iiex away from`said cap through the medium of the external air pressure when a vacuumis created within a bottle to which the nipple is attached to permit theinrush of air through said apertures and also cause the flange toimmediately and automatically return to a sealing position as soon assuction is released from the nipple, said flange having a bead formedthereon adapted to engage the cap to control the passage of air throughsaid Ventilating apertures, said cap having means for receiving theflange,A and the iiange being adapted to be clamped into positionbetween said cap and the end of the bottle.

8. In combination 'with a bottle, a cap adapted to be removably securedupon the outer end of the bottle, a flexible nipple oi.' material havinga neck portion and a laterally extending annular flange, the flangebeing adapted to be clamped between the cap and the end of the bottlefor holding the nipple in position, the cap having a. central aperture,the cap also having an outwardly extending annular ilange extendingaround the aperture formed in the cap, the neck portion of said nipplehaving vents formed therein, the neck of the nipple being normallydisposed in close contacting engagement with the inner face oi saidflange whereby the flange serves` for normally closing said vents, othervents being formed in said flange of the nipple and normally closed attheir outer ends by engagement of the outer face oi' the nipple flangewith the inner face of the cap, the neck and flange of the nipple beingadapted to flex away from the outwardly extending annular ange and thecap through the medium of external air pressure when a vacuum is builtup within the bottle whereby external air pressure will pass between theneck of the nipple and inner face of the flange of said cap, under saidflange, through said vents and into said bottle.

YERVANT H. KURKJIAN.

